AusBonsai

True to my word , I sent an email to Adrian about the art work he created . He read the ausbonsai comments and his email back to me is as follows.

joann

Can you paraphrase it, pdf reeks of TL;DR.

Hi Joann,
Thanks for the heads up on the ausbonsai.com blog.
I did read all the posts and the pot certanly caused a stir:-)
Everyone has a right to their own opinions when it comes to design so I respect all feedback.

Now to answer a few of those questions:

I work in the auto industry as a car designer and the design team thought it was a good idea to put together an art exhibition (http://outsidetheoval.com ) that would showcase our interests outside of the auto industry (work) but relating back to transportation or automotive somehow.

I have a limited degree of knowledge in bonsai, although I do appreciate the art. I enjoy gardening and plants so thought it was a good idea to combine that as a theme for my art piece.

The design of the pot was heavily influenced by automotive design given the brief of the exhibition - with the use of automotive speed forms, manufacturing processes used in the industry and the metallic painted finish.

The appearance of the pot simply represents movement of a floating form linking it back to transportation. It's that simple.

I noticed how a lot of bonsai pots have ornamental rocks or figurines, so I designed my own hard edged rock formation to showcase yet another manufacturing process used in transport - 3D printing.
I thought it would be nice to have a bit of contrast between the smooth polished pot and the rough angular rocks which are made from two completely different manufacturing process.

As for the Bonsai used, I agree. Probably not the best choice. But I was very limited considering I contacted a number of bonsai distributors and non were willing to help with loaning me a 'proper' bonsai, or there was some sort of logistic problem... And I wasn't prepared to spend thousands for a decent one.

Hope that sheds a bit of light and adds some perspective to the design exercise.

Thanks Joann

Well that puts it more into context just a shame that wasn't conveyed in the multiple articles that accompanied the photos around the web, none even mentioned the exhibition. All the 'artspeak' pails into insignificance after reading the 'real' story from the creator himself! Lucky bloke, gets to create bonsai pots with using specialised machines and materials in lab conditions

If your reading this Adrian, firstly my apologies if (in the other thread) I appeared to get the poppy-cutters out prematurely good to step back for some perspective sometimes I do have some Qs though ... just wondering what the pot is actually made out of? was it hand made or machined? Did you get to keep it?

Hope you get into bonsai more, be great to see a better suited tree in this pot one day!

Certainly provided a spark around here

Please add my thanks to Adrian.

Now that I know he comes from an auto design field adds a lot of clarity to his design and gives me one of those "light bulb" moments.

It's an interest concept.

It'd be interesting to see him design a range of modern bonsai pots to suit different styles.

Maybe create or appeal to a different market?

Liked the pot before the explanation ... Still like it! Not because it flies against convention & is "in your face" in terms of size/stature/design, but because it adds a new perspective and has clearly got the bonsai world in this forum talking. Good skills. I agree with some others here, you should get into bonsai more Adrian and create a tree worthy of your creation!!